Hefei Evening News - The much-publicized "Galaxy Park Murder Case" that shocked the provincial capital has now been sentenced in the first instance by the Hefei Intermediate People's Court. The several defendants were sentenced to death, suspended death sentence, and 15 years of fixed-term imprisonment respectively. Yesterday, I learned from the families and friends of the three defendants that Tao Ping and Sun Yixin have decided to appeal and will submit their appeals. Li Yan yan's family is still considering.
On April 15, the Hefei Intermediate People's Court publicly announced the verdict. The three defendants were found guilty of intentional homicide. Tao Ping was sentenced to death, Sun Yixin to a two-year reprieve of death penalty, and Li Yan yan to 15 years of fixed-term imprisonment. They were also ordered to pay over 350,000 yuan in compensation. After the verdict, Tao Ping and Li Yan yan expressed their intention to appeal in court. Sun Yixin did not make an explicit statement in court. Upon hearing the verdict, Sun Yixin's mother fainted on the spot.
Sun Yixin dissatisfied with the verdict and wants to appeal
"Regarding the first-instance verdict, Sun Yixin believes that the punishment is too severe. Sun Yixin has already signed the appeal document, and today we will submit the appeal to the Intermediate Court," said Sun Yixin's defense lawyer Cheng Yongqing. The main reasons for the appeal are as follows: First, Sun Yixin considers himself an accomplice. He had no grudge against the victim Zhang Moumou, so throughout the process, he was merely acting according to others' premeditated plans. Moreover, his original intention was just to push Zhang Moumou into the water, not to drown him. Second, Sun Yixin believes he has surrendered voluntarily. On the day of his arrest, when Sun Yixin called Tao Ping, he was already aware that Tao Ping was accompanied by police officers, yet he still went to the laundry shop where Tao Ping was located. His confession and the details of his arrest confirmed that Sun Yixin had no intention of fleeing. Third, Sun Yixin believes that revealing co-defendant Tao Ping should mitigate his punishment.
"Sun Yixin repeatedly emphasized to me that he didn't really want to kill Zhang Moumou. He even heard Zhang Moumou crying and assumed that Zhang Moumou had climbed ashore," said Lawyer Cheng. Sun Yixin even suspected that the tragedy occurred because someone else carried out a second attack after Zhang Moumou fell into the water.
Seven-year-old daughter pleads for her mother
In the first-instance judgment, Tao Ping was sentenced to death. Tao Ping and her family believe the punishment is too severe. Tao Ping's reason for appealing is that the 1000 yuan received by Sun Yixin has nothing to do with her; it was given by Li Yan yan to Sun Yixin. Tao Ping claims she did not hire anyone to commit murder. According to her relatives, Tao Ping's family will soon submit the appeal to the court.
Meanwhile, it was reported that upon being sentenced to death, Tao Ping's seven-year-old daughter Xiao Qi (a pseudonym) personally wrote a letter pleading for her mother. In the letter, the little girl wrote in childish handwriting: "I am Tao Ping's precious daughter Xiao Qi, I am seven years old this year. I request Uncle and Aunt Judge to give my mom a lighter punishment and a chance to reform. I can't lose my mom at such a young age. I miss my mom every day. There is only one good mom in the world. Give me a mom, thank you Uncle and Aunt."
According to informed sources, although the little girl is young and her handwritten letter is somewhat naive, it is sincere and touching.
Li Yan yan's family is still considering
Among the three defendants, Li Yan yan, who was under eighteen years old, was legally given a lighter punishment and sentenced to fifteen years of fixed-term imprisonment. Although she expressed her intention to appeal in court, I learned from Li Yan yan's defense lawyer Zhou Lin that Li Yan yan's father has just met with the lawyer, and whether to appeal is still under consideration.
(Interns Ding Mengying and Wu Xueting, reporter Liu Xiaoping of our newspaper) (Editor: SN026)